We can still learn from Joseph today.

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Many Christians learn the story of Joseph from a young age. Hardly any Christian grows up without having heard about Joseph's betrayal, sale, and imprisonment. Joseph's life can be divided into the following sections: "Childhood and Sale by His Brothers," "Life in Potiphar's House," and "Joseph as Pharaoh's Right Hand." We admire Joseph for being innocent and for being able to forgive his brothers despite their terrible betrayal. We are also surely fascinated by how God saved the people of Israel from hunger and poverty through Joseph .

But the much more important question is what we can still learn from Joseph today.

1. Joseph's "values compass"

One could also describe Joseph's life story as follows: Doing the right thing when you have no freedom and doing the right thing when you have the freedom, choice and means.

For example, Joseph managed to resist the constant temptation of Potiphar's wife and to refrain from taking revenge on his brothers. But this is only possible if one's inner compass is sound. Twice Joseph stated quite precisely where his "north of values" lay: he feared God and did not want to sin before Him (cf. Genesis 42:18; Genesis 39:9). The fear of the Lord means hating evil (cf. Proverbs 8:13). On Joseph's "value compass," north pointed to the fear of the Lord, which meant that he kept himself far from evil.

Just as the fear of the Lord was manifested in Joseph's life as the "true north," we need clarity about the truth today. We see how Jesus' warning (cf. Mt 24:4; 11:24) is becoming increasingly important in our day. One of the greatest dangers in the end times is falling prey to lies. The Bible even teaches us that all people who do not love the truth are deceived (cf. 2 Thess 2:10-12). The coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis are relatively simple examples of how even Christians within a congregation cannot agree on how to assess these events. Over 100 years ago, during the First World War, US Senator Hiram Johnson is said to have remarked, "The first casualty of any war is truth."

Only with the love of truth, which we find in the Word of God, can we resist the flood of so-called "fake news." The Bible offers us clear guidance, for example, regarding the high prices and costs that currently affect us. It tells us that it should be enough for us to have sufficient food and clothing (see 1 Timothy 6:8). On the other hand, we see the prospect of further inflation in Revelation 6:6 and learn that inflation will continue to increase until one has to work a whole day for a single portion of bread. However, beyond this, the Bible teaches us to always be joyful and not to worry about anything (see Philippians 4:4-6).

We must never forget that we are saved through the love of the truth (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10) and not through the love of the truth of "the brothers." Each of us will need our own love of the truth to avoid falling into falsehood in the end times. Therefore, let us always remain in the love of the truth, the Word of God, and grow in it.

2. Why was Joseph called a "dreamer" by his brothers?

The answer is obvious – Joseph spoke about his dreams. There were no books, written accounts, or diaries that the brothers found on the subject of Joseph. They only learned about Joseph's dreams because he spoke of them. The Bible says that even Jacob – Joseph's father – rebuked him for this (see Genesis 37:10). Joseph received dreams from God and shared them. That's why his brothers called him "the dreamer" (see Genesis 37:19). Joseph told them what God had planned for him.

What does my confession of faith look like today? Does anyone call me a "dreamer of heaven" today? Yet all who believe in Christ have the wonderful hope of seeing Him one day—perhaps very soon—face to face in a new, glorified body. John says it is the hope itself (cf. 1 John 3:2-3). Paul writes similarly in Colossians 3:4. How often do the words "Great is the Lord" pass my lips? "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45b).

Conversely, it can so easily happen that we use our mouths to pass on other people's information instead of the truth of the Word. Instead, let us consider the words and promises within the Word: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1) or "I will lie down in peace and sleep" (Psalm 4:8). God's Word is so full of true statements that comfort, build up, uplift, and sometimes admonish us. Let us, like Joseph, speak of our dream—to see Jesus face to face. It has far greater value than relaying (often inaccurate) political or economic news.

3. Joseph used the time for work.

The Bible describes how Pharaoh promoted Joseph to second in command (see Genesis 41:40). He was something like the king's chief minister. Joseph thus became a high-ranking leader. What is remarkable is that Joseph devoted himself intensely to carrying out his duties. He traveled through Egypt (see Genesis 41:46) and was directly involved in gathering provisions. The Bible describes Joseph's conversations with Egyptians (see Genesis 55-56). Joseph's work ethic becomes even clearer when it came to selling wheat to his brothers. We see that Joseph was not too proud to be involved himself as a salesman.

Nowadays, many bosses or CEOs are located in Berlin or elsewhere and are very far removed from "ordinary" people. The prevailing principle today is to delegate tasks downwards. Bosses like Joseph were are very rare these days, especially when it comes to top-ranking government officials. What does this tell us? Joseph always carried out the tasks entrusted to him immediately and without any hesitation. This enabled God's plan to be fulfilled and Israel to be saved.

The Bible says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Paul was a model in working for the Lord Jesus, just as Joseph was in his ministry (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me; whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

Despite all the changes of recent years, we can still "gather" with Jesus today. Jesus wants to seek and save. There is nothing better than working together with Jesus. What about my involvement in preaching the Gospel? It doesn't have to be a sermon to large crowds. It could be, for example, a small conversation with a colleague, lending a listening ear to someone in need of pastoral care, or inviting a neighbor to church.

Thinking the right thing, confessing the right thing, and doing the right thing brings happiness. Getting what we want is not what makes us happy. George Bernard Shaw said, "There are two tragedies in life: one is to lose what you have your heart's desire. The other is to get what you have your heart's desire." The moment we buy our dream car, we immediately realize that the horsepower "isn't enough," at least one feature is "missing," or we see that someone else has an even better car. The Bible's lesson in happiness, however, is: "Blessed is the one who does what is right" (see Psalm 1, Matthew 5:3-10). Joseph did it and was richly rewarded. What about you?

Eduard Domanski

Municipality of Mettenheim